Sacramento Disabilities Advisory Commission Regular Meeting - November 5, 2025
Sacramento Disabilities Advisory Commission Regular Meeting - November 5, 2025
The Sacramento Disabilities Advisory Commission (DAC) met on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at City Hall, 915 I Street, starting at 5:39 PM and adjourning at 6:44 PM. Vice Chair Keith Ellis presided in the absence of Chair Sylvia Kramer. Seven commissioners were present (Barnbaum, Dyson, Greenbaum, Kaur, Patel, Ellis, and Napper according to minutes; however the transcript indicates Napper was absent, creating a discrepancy). A quorum was established. The meeting covered three discussion items: the SacAdapt Transportation Adaptation Plan Phase II, a report on the commission's presentation to the Racial Equity Committee, and the 2025 Annual Report and 2026 Workplan.
Consent Calendar
- Unanimously approved the October 8, 2025 meeting minutes (File ID 2025-00014) and the Commission Follow-Up Log (File ID 2025-00128).
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were made during the meeting.
Discussion Items
3. SacAdapt Transportation Adaptation Plan Phase II Engagement
Sarah Kolarik, Sustainability Program Specialist, presented the plan to analyze extreme weather risks (extreme heat, storms, regional fire impacts) to Sacramento's transportation system. The plan is grant-funded through Caltrans and developed in partnership with SacRT. Phase II engagement includes a survey available through November 7, 2025, translated into five languages and available in large print at community centers. Commissioners provided feedback:
- Vice Chair Ellis emphasized the importance of expanding tree canopy for shade and managing storm drain infrastructure, linking to past utility rate advisory work.
- Commissioner Barnbaum suggested exploring the use of surplus buses as cooling centers, inspired by Phoenix/Valley Metro, and asked about route redundancy for bicycles (e.g., river crossings). He recommended looking into a new Broadway bridge.
- Commissioner Greenbaum highlighted equity in tree canopy distribution and supported the cooling center idea.
- Commissioner Kaur suggested engaging community coalition groups (e.g., North Natomas Coalition) for broader outreach.
- Commissioner Dyson inquired about survey distribution. Kolarik noted targeted emails to ~100 groups, in-person events in every council district, and engagement at transit stops.
- Jesse Gothan (staff) raised a concern from Chair Kramer about emergency notification for people with disabilities during fires. Assistant Fire Chief Pat Costman explained existing systems: reverse 911, coordination with law enforcement, and fire department capabilities for evacuating individuals with disabilities. The plan will include community engagement on emergency preparedness.
- Commissioner Barnbaum moved to have staff return in 90 days (February 2026) with responses to comments. Staff confirmed they will present phase two results at that meeting.
4. DAC Presentation to the Racial Equity Committee
Commissioners reported on their October 21, 2025 presentation to the city's Racial Equity Committee. Commissioner Greenbaum noted positive reception, especially from Councilmember Mai Vang, who was open to continued dialogue. Commissioner Dyson added that Councilmember Maya Banks was receptive but noted funding constraints for an ADA coordinator. Former Commissioner Brandy Toussaint Boyd gave examples of how encampments on sidewalks and the resting ordinance disproportionately impact people with disabilities. Staff noted that the Racial Equity Committee will include DAC recommendations in their training materials.
5. 2025 Annual Report and 2026 Workplan
Jesse Gothan presented a draft outline for the annual report, including commissioner bios, key accomplishments (e.g., 88 drop-off zones at Golden 1 Center, Ninos Parkway trail, Bell Avenue bridge, Tim Haley Awards), and the 2026 workplan. Commissioners discussed:
- Vice Chair Ellis suggested limiting new workplan items to 1-2 additions due to bandwidth (~10 meetings per year).
- Commissioner Barnbaum proposed adding a Riverside Boulevard safety plan (inspired by a pedestrian injury incident) and coordination with SacRT Go paratransit on accessible building entrances.
- Commissioner Greenbaum requested Greg Taylor present on Sacramento Valley Station accessibility.
- Deadlines set: bios and photos to staff by November 14, 2025; draft report for December 3, 2025 meeting; target approval in January 2026.
Key Outcomes
- Consent calendar approved unanimously.
- SacAdapt staff to return to the February 2026 meeting with phase two results and responses to commission feedback.
- DAC presentation to Racial Equity Committee was well-received; continued engagement is encouraged.
- Annual report drafting timeline established; final approval targeted for January 2026 meeting.
- Commissioners to submit bios and photos by November 14, 2025.
- Commissioner comments: Commissioner Kaur recognized Sikh awareness month and homeless youth awareness month; Commissioner Barnbaum wished a Happy Thanksgiving; Commissioner Patel recognized National School Psychologist Week.
Note: The meeting minutes contain a discrepancy regarding Commissioner Napper's attendance (listed as both present and absent). The transcript confirms Napper was absent.
Meeting Transcript
There we go. I'm going to call to order this meeting of the City of Sacramento Disability Advisory Commission for Wednesday, November 5th, 2025. Clerk, can you please call the roll? Yes. Commissioners, please unmute your microphones. Commissioner Greenbaum? Yeah. Commissioner Barnbaum. Here. Commissioner Patel. Here. Commissioner Wilson is absent. Commissioner Dyson. Here. Commissioner Naper is absent. Commissioner Gueve is absent. Commissioner Carr. Here. Chair Kramer is absent. And Vice Chair Ellis. Present. Thank you. We have a quorum. Thank you. And I'm going to turn it over to Commissioner Barnbaum to lead us in the land acknowledgement. So please rise if you are able. Okay. Please rise for the opening acknowledgements in honor of Sacramento's Indigenous People and Tribal Lands. To the original people of this land, the Nissanon people, the Southern Maidu, Valley and Plains Mewak, Patwin, Winton Peoples, and the people of the Wilton Rancheria. Sacramento's only federally recognized tribe. May we acknowledge and honor the native people who came before us and still walk beside us today on these ancestral lands by choosing to gather together today in the active practice of acknowledgement and appreciation for Sacramento's indigenous people's history, contributions, and lives. Thank you, and please remain rised for the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you, Commissioner Barnbaum. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. And uh Commissioners, our first item of business is approval of the consent calendar, which is our meeting minutes and the follow-up log. Do I have a motion? Vice Chair Ellis, Commissioner Barnbaum wishes to move the consent calendar as presented on the agenda in and the staff report. Is there a second? I seconded. Thank you. I will also say for the record that there's no public comment for this item. Thank you, Clerk. And please call the roll. Commissioners, please unmute your microphones. Commissioner Greenbaum. Aye. Commissioner Barnbaum.
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